Sunday, May 04, 2008

I find that I am asking myself the same question in a couple of different formats. This question seems to pop up with a newborn and lasts throughout toddler-hood. But it seems to heighten right around 12 months and lasts until their 18 months.

Why do I try ... ?

What's the point in ... ?

Why bother ... ?

and these questions typically end with ...

cleaning, going to church, arranging the books/cds nicely, washing their faces, washing their clothes, making my bed, cooking (actually cooking lasts longer because picky eaters seem to linger into their teens), putting the pillows on the couch, vacuuming, laundering, the list goes on and on and on.....and on.

I noticed I mentally asked this (these) questions like 17 times these past two days. Is something wrong with me? What's going to happen to our home-life when I answer these questions with something like, "hmph, I don't know why? guess I won't."

I know I'm taking a huge risk admitting something like this to a bunch of (well, mostly) mothers who, let's not kid ourselves, judge one another based on how our children succeed and our house looks and whether or not we have roots.

21 comments:

This has got to relate to EVERY young mother.. and I hate that we judge (or worry about other people judging us) when we are all just trying to GET THROUGH THE DAY! One thing that I heard and want to hang on my wall is: Cleaning while having children is like shoveling when it's snowing outside.

I have really tried to let go of having everything perfect (because it NEVER will be) and spend more energy enjoying my little ones while they are little.. because it's going to fly by! Good luck and great post.

All I can say is that if ya'll are judging me- you all win! I am not one to care what people think. I go to the store in my PJ's ( yes the ones that look like PJ's with the penquins) and, 3 day (not showered) hair pulled back. That's how I roll. I think what is the point all the time(hence the aforementioned wardrobe, and I have not even begun on my house). To me success in parenting is what my Mom always told me, " If you only have to have 4 therapy sessions to get over my parenting, I will have done a dang good job." My goal is 3! Take it easy on yourself. We do the best we can. Some day it's enough and some days it's not. It's okay, I have the name of a therapist! :)

Oh, my friend, there is someone else out there that feels this way. And, I'll be the first to admit, there are days where I do answer with "I guess I won't." Especially in the house cleaning department, the child bathing department, and the cooking department. Guess I'm being talked about behind my back quite often!

Um, I'm right there with ya. I think this is the life of every young mother! I have learned to care less... but the bottom line is, I like things to be nice, so every once in a while I'll go gang busters, clean it up, and then I feel like I'm a nazi to my children and husband, and I don't like that, so it all goes to pot again. "They won't be ,5 1/2, 2 1/2 and 14 months old forever" I try to tell myself, but yeah... it's frustrating, huh!?

At least I don't have the roots problem to worry about... because HOK's I worry about enough!

So true. Although I've never had roots. My house is always a mess, so most houses I go to are a lot cleaner than mine. I try not to judge others, or compare myself to others, but I'm not completely successful at it.

I'm so glad that others ask these questions as well. Usually when I'm in the hall or wrestling my kids during church I ask why am I here. And keeping the house clean with three (counting husband 4) boys is a joke. I get so overwhelmed sometimes. It's hard to even go to the bathroom let alone get your hair done. Hence my permanant soggy wet ponytial I sport all to often and long to have my hair done in some what of a style so I look like a woman and not a frumpy Mom. But this too shall pass right?

I've been trying not to care what other people think but it is hard sometimes. I don't think any less of someone when I see their messy house or anything like that so I don't know why I can't just let the feelings of inadequacy go! You are not alone!

I don't take that for granted anymore because there was a time when I couldn't - almost a whole year - while fighting cancer. I was bald and nauseated and stayed in bed or on the couch most of the time. I learned that our value doesn't come from what we look like and what we can do. I finally learned that... finally.

I mean afterall, when I think of my neighbor, Abby , who is seriously handicapped, I think of how special she is in the sight of Heavenly Father and what an amazing soul she must be. You can just feel it when you are around her. I've never thought any less of her because she can't even talk. Why should I think anything less of my self if I can't keep up with life some days.

You can read what I put in my blog recently: http://lauravanderbeek.blogspot.com/2008/05/getting-better.html

I feel it too! Since this last conference when they talked about mothers I have really tried to be better at just ignoring the mess sometimes and playing more. There will always be clothes to wash, and floors to vacuum but I won't always have my little kiddos wanting to play with me. I am so far from perfect though and forget my new goal. What a great post!